Airfoil structure shim

Abstract

An airfoil structure, shim, and retention member combination includes an airfoil structure, a retention member and a shim. The airfoil structure may define a first recess. The retention member may define a second recess. The first and second recesses may define a cavity. The shim may include a main body and a plurality of first fins extending outwardly from a first side of the main body. The first fins may further extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main body. The shim may be positioned in the cavity such that the first fins extend in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

1. A shim adapted to be received in a cavity defined by a first recess in an airfoil structure and a second recess in a retention member, said shim comprising:
 a main body; and 
 a plurality of first fins extending outwardly from a first side of said main body in a direction toward said airfoil structure and away from said retention member and a plurality of second fins extending outwardly from a second side of said main body. 
 
     
     
       2. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first fins has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm and a height of from about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm. 
     
     
       3. The shim of  claim 2 , wherein said main body has a height of from about 2 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
       4. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first fins has a width of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and a height of from about 1.5 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
       5. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein said main body has a height of from about 2 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
       6. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein said airfoil structure comprises a blade and said retention member comprises a rotor disk. 
     
     
       7. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein said airfoil structure comprises a vane and said retention member comprises a retention casing. 
     
     
       8. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein said second side of said main body is transverse to said main body first side. 
     
     
       9. The shim of  claim 8 , wherein said main body of said shim has a length along a first axis and said first fins have a length along the first axis, wherein the length of said main body along the first axis is greater than the length of said first fins along the first axis. 
     
     
       10. The shim of  claim 1 , wherein ends of said first fins opposed from said main body engage a radially inner surface of said airfoil structure. 
     
     
       11. An airfoil structure, shim, and retention member combination comprising:
 an airfoil structure including a first recess; 
 a retention member comprising a second recess, said first and second recesses defining a cavity; and 
 a shim comprising a main body and a plurality of first fins extending outwardly from a first side of said main body in a direction toward said airfoil structure and away from said retention member and further extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of said main body, said shim being positioned in said cavity such that said first fins extend in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said cavity. 
 
     
     
       12. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first fins has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm and a height of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm. 
     
     
       13. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first fins has a width of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and a height of from about 1.5 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
       14. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said first fins extend in an axial direction of said retention member. 
     
     
       15. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said airfoil structure comprises a blade and said retention member comprises a rotor disk. 
     
     
       16. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said airfoil structure comprises a vane and said retention member comprises a retention casing. 
     
     
       17. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said shim further comprising a plurality of second fins extending outwardly from a second side of said main body, which is transverse to said main body first side. 
     
     
       18. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein each of said second fins has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm and a height of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm. 
     
     
       19. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein each of said second fins has a width of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and a height of from about 1.5 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
       20. The combination of  claim 11 , wherein ends of said first fins opposed from said main body engage a radially inner surface of said airfoil structure.